I waited, expecting to see a bundle of quipos thrust
through the opening, but they did not appear.
Instead, five golden vessels were pushed across the ground until
they were inside, clear of the stone; I could see the black,
hairy hands and arms, which were immediately withdrawn.
Then the granite curtain fell with a crash that caused me to
start with its suddenness and awakened both Harry and Desiree.
Two of the vessels contained water, two oil, and the other dried
fish. Harry, who had sprung to his feet excitedly, grumbled in
disgust.
"At least, they might have sent us some soup. But what's their
idea?"
"It means that Desiree was right," I observed. "They have some
way of watching us. And, seeing that we refused to provide their
beloved monarch with provender, they have sent him an allowance
from the pantry."
Harry grinned.
"Will he get it?"
"Hardly," said I with emphasis. "We'll make 'em treat with us if
it's only to observe their diplomacy. There'll be a message from
them within twenty-four hours. You'll see."
"Anyway, we know now that they can raise that stone whenever they
feel like it. But in the name of Archimedes, how?"
He advanced to the doorway and examined the block of granite
curiously, but there was no clue to its weight or thickness from
the inside.
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